Expert talks about school violence in program for Franklin Co. educators

Tuesday

Feb 19, 2013 at 11:30 AM

More than 250 people — including Franklin County school administrators and law enforcement officials — packed the auditorium of Waynesboro Area Senior High School to listen to retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, in a program coordinated by the Franklin County District Attorney's Office.

Stephanie Harbaugh/The Record Herald

WAYNESBORO — “The enemy is denial.”
Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, one of the world's foremost experts in the field of human aggression and the roots of violence, said that several times during a seminar on school violence and safety Monday.
More than 250 people — including Franklin County school administrators and law enforcement officials — packed the auditorium of Waynesboro Area Senior High School for a program coordinated by the Franklin County District Attorney's Office.
“I want this seminar to initiate conversation,” said Matt Fogal, Franklin County district attorney. “I want school administrators and local law enforcement to take ideas presented today and see what may work best for them.”
Dozens die each year
“In the last 50 years, not one child has died due to a school fire in North America,” said Grossman, as he rattled off statistics like 57 students died due to school violence during the 1997-98 school year and 63 died in 2006-07.
“Our kids are more likely to be killed by violence than any other possible death combined,” said Grossman, to a quiet and enthralled audience.
Violent acts can be learned at a young age from video games, noted Grossman.
“We have a generation of children who learn at an early age through video games that a reward comes from death and human suffering,” he said. “Every time a new 'Grand Theft Auto' video game is released there is an explosion of violence.
“We need to keep our children safe,” said Grossman as he touched school massacres, including Columbine, Sandy Hook, Nickel Mines Amish School and Virginia Tech.
What to do
Simple steps can be taken to help deter or stop school violence.
“Use common sense and keep all doors locked (both externally and internal classroom doors),” said Grossman, who also advised security measures for school windows.
He said 3M makes a security film that can be placed over glass to keep it from breaking and shattering when shot.
“During the three most horrible school mass murders including Columbine, Red Lake and Sandy Hook, the killer shot through the glass windows,” he said.
Other suggestions included placing armed guards at schools and clearly identifying all classrooms to help emergency personnel.
“Every classroom should be numbered inside and outside and every exit labeled with a letter like A, B, C or D,” said Grossman, adding this makes it easier to identify an area in danger.
Drills are also a way to help combat violence.
“We teach our kindergartners to stop, drop and roll, so why can't we teach them to throw a book at a bad guy?” asked Grossman.
What's next
“This is a time where everyone can do some reflective thinking,” said Dr. Sherian Diller, Waynesboro superintendent. “We need to look at our reality and identify ways for improvement to ensure we always provide a safe environment for all our students.”
Members of Waynesboro's administrative staff were on hand for Monday's daylong seminar. They plan to review what was discussed and see how certain ideas can be implemented in Waynesboro schools.
“Currently all exterior doors and classroom doors are locked at all times,” said Diller, who said she will be providing highlights of the seminar with the school board.
Background
Grossman — who calls Arkansas home — was an airborne Ranger infantry officer, sergeant and paratrooper — retired from the U.S. Army in February 1998 and has since devoted his life to teaching, writing and speaking.
He travels around the world nearly 300 days a year, providing seminars on school violence/safety and training elite military and law enforcement organizations worldwide about the realities of combat.

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